Newby needs gearing advice

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Dec 3, 2005 | 02:34 PM

jkravito

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Newby needs gearing advice

Hey guys,
I am planning to buy a used 03-05 6.0 F250 or F350 in the next month or so and need some advice on gearing and tuning mods. I plan to buy a crew cab and and lift it to run 35" or 37" MT/R's with a tuner program from Banks/DP. What gear ratio should I look for to make sure this truck will be able to get up and go? Will gearing around 4:11's work or should I plan to run taller gears? Or will the power of a moderately tuned 6.0 be planty strong to push larger tires with 3:73 gearing? I will not be towing regularly but this truck will see a fair share of highway miles for work and play. Thanks for the input.

Dec 3, 2005 | 03:36 PM

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Dec 3, 2005 | 08:16 PM

pamelbert

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I have a 2005 with a 7 inch lift and 37's, It feels a little more sluggish on take off. I took it to a place that specializes in gearing and they recommended 4.33 or 4.56. (I think those are the right numbers?) Anyhow they said if I am happy with the take off (acceleration) Don't change them. I have a bullydog triplepup programmer and the truck runs great with it, however my mileage has dropped significantly with the combination of lift, tires, and tuner. I have 3.73 rear, and they quoted me around $1600 to change the gears. To me, the slower take off is not significant enough to change them. And with the tuner I can't tell the difference. Check my gallery for pics of the lift and tires.

Dec 4, 2005 | 03:03 PM

jkravito

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What do you think you get for mileage with those 37's? With that programmer and 3"73's you aren't having any issues? I know that this is a totally different power plant but I drove an 04 crew with the 5.4,3:73 gears, 7" lift and 37's yesterday and it was a dog. The truck had zero get up and go. I expect that a stock 6.0 or 7.3 would provide a drastic improvement even before a tune program. Is there anything you would do differently if you built the truck again?

Dec 4, 2005 | 03:27 PM

pamelbert

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I am getting 12mpg in town 14 hwy. I also have a 4" turbo back exhaust. The downloader adds 130hp. It is not a slug. I have launched it a couple of times in 4 wheel drive, its very impressive, but not as quick as my 03' 2wd was, due to the weight difference. On the other hand I drive an 05 Scion xb daily it gets about 28 mpg, so I am not too concerned about my trucks mpg.